Ten Tors 2016

The Ten Tors Challenge is one of the most challenging and largest events held nationally which is solely for young people. Organised by the Army, specifically Headquarters 1st Artillery Brigade & South West, from its Moor Group Headquarters at Okehampton Camp, it is assisted by the Royal Navy (with manpower and helicopters), the Royal Air Force and the Dartmoor Rescue Group.

Since the first challenge took place in 1959 it has grown massively, but it is still the Army, in conjunction with the Dartmoor Rescue Group, that run it as an annual event with Tavistock College having a long tradition of successful participation.

The participants walk in teams of six for a distance of 35, 45 or 55 miles depending on age and ability. The College has traditionally entered year 10 for the 35 mile event, year 11 for the 45 mile event and sixth form for the 55 mile event. The teams leave Okehampton Camp at 07:00 on Saturday morning (a wonderful sight for those tough enough to brave it, and many parents/carers come up to see them off!) and are then expected to be totally self-sufficient until they finish back at the Camp before the deadline of 17.00 on the Sunday. During that time they are required to walk and navigate between 10 fixed checkpoints or Tors, carrying all the equipment and food they may need and camp out overnight. The checkpoints are staffed by the Army and each team carries a GPS beacon, so progress can be tracked by interested parties (….nervous parents/carers!) on the Ten Tors website from the comfort of home. If the whole Team returns before the 17:00 deadline they are awarded a team certificate as well as individual medals.

The Ten Tors Event itself takes place over the weekend 6 – 8 May 2016 with training commencing just before Christmas 2015. Those students that are interested in taking part in Ten Tors 2016 please speak to Mr Jerrett based in the Study Centre (hut next to the Music Department) as soon as possible.

To find out more about the events history visit http://www.tentors.org.uk/challenge/the-history